Waiting times for knee-replacement surgery in the United States and Ontario

People living in Ontario, Canada may wait longer for orthopedic consultations and knee replacement surgeries than their counterparts in the United States, although post-surgery satisfaction rates appear to be similar. Researchers surveyed 1,623 people over age 65 who had knee replacement surgery between 1985 and 1989. Of these interviewees, 1,193 lived in the U.S. and 430 lived in Ontario. The median waiting time for an orthopedic consultation was two weeks for U.S. patients and one month for Ontarians. The median waiting time for knee replacement surgery was three weeks in the U.S. and two months in Ontario. Approximately 98% of U.S. patients and 92% of Ontarian patients felt that the consultation waiting time was acceptable. Ninety-five percent of U.S. patients and approximately 85% of Ontarians felt that the surgical waiting time was acceptable. Longer waiting times were associated with lower satisfaction levels among patients in both countries.